《GOD'S WEB》 Prologue Prologue: Shinra never asked to be born into a doomed future. In his time, the world had already been swallowed by war. The powerful corporation known as Prometheus had risen from the ashes, twisting technology and power to shape humanity¡¯s fate. But Shinra was never meant to change history¡ªonly to suffer from it. That was until his uncle, Shizumori, gave him a choice. A choice wrapped in forbidden science, built from theories no human should have ever touched. The God Particle, the core of a time machine that should never have existed. Shinra never wanted to save the world. He only wanted to save her. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. His mother was taken from him, and the only way to bring her back was to rewind time¡ªjust three years, just enough to stop it from happening. But the universe is cruel, and time is not so easily controlled. Something went wrong. Instead of three years, Shinra was thrown decades into the past, long before he was ever born. A time where his mother wasn¡¯t even alive yet¡ªnot stolen, not lost, but never born to begin with. Now, Shinra must navigate a world that should not know his name, survive enemies that were never meant to chase him, and find a way to stop history from repeating itself. But there is one rule that even he cannot escape. The universe does not accept two versions of the same being. And soon, time itself will decide which Shinra has the right to exist. PROLOGUE // END Note from author :the prologue was meant to introduce to the concept and the world of "God''s web",the actual story starts with chapter 1 TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 1 Chapter 1 : The Lie of Peace Chapter 1: The Lie of Peace The war that wasn''t named The war didn¡¯t start with a bang. It started with whispers. Whispers of dwindling resources, of forests turned to ash, of geniuses silenced before their inventions could save us. By the time the first bombs fell, it was too late. The world was already burning. It wasn¡¯t called World War III. No one dared to give it a name. But we all knew what it was. Countries turned on each other like starving wolves, fighting over scraps of oil, water, and land. And then they came¡ªthe company. A weapons manufacturer so powerful, so ruthless, it bought an entire nation just to join the war. They called themselves Prometheus, but they were no bringers of fire. They were the ones who snuffed it out. Prometheus didn¡¯t just win the war. They ended it. By cutting off weapons supplies to every other nation and funneling them into their own, they crushed the world under their heel. And when the dust settled, their CEO declared himself king. A dictator. But no one called him that. To the public, he was a savior. A visionary. A man who promised paradise. --- The Announcement I was ten when the new rule was announced. Mom and I sat on the couch, the TV casting a flickering glow across the room. The CEO¡¯s voice filled the air, smooth and reassuring.
¡°The world is overpopulated. To ensure a brighter future, we must make sacrifices. Starting today, all citizens over the age of forty will be relocated to Mars or distant islands. There, they will live in peace, free from the burdens of work and responsibility. This rule applies to everyone¡ªno exceptions.¡±
I looked up at Mom, my brow furrowed. ¡°How old are you?¡± She smiled, ruffling my hair. ¡°Old enough to stay with you for at least another twenty years.¡± I believed her. I didn¡¯t know she was lying. She was thirty-five. She only had five years left with me, but she wanted to make them count. --- The Day They Took Her Five years later, the officers came. I was in the living room, tinkering with a broken radio, when the doorbell rang. Mom was in the kitchen, humming softly as she washed dishes. I answered the door. Two men in black uniforms stood there, their faces stern. ¡°Is this the residence of Rika Nishi?¡± one of them asked. Mom appeared behind me, her hands still wet. ¡°Yes?¡± she said, her voice hesitant. The officer handed her a piece of paper.
¡°You¡¯ve been selected for relocation. Please pack your belongings. You have one hour.¡±
I stared at them, my heart pounding. ¡°What? No! You can¡¯t take her!¡± Mom knelt in front of me, her hands on my shoulders. Her eyes were calm, but I could see the fear in them.
¡°Shinra, listen to me. You¡¯ll be okay. Uncle Shizumori will take care of you. Be good for him, alright?¡±
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. ¡°No! You said you had twenty years! You promised!¡± She pulled me into a tight hug, her voice trembling.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, Shinra. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±
Life with Uncle Shizumori After Mom was taken, Uncle Shizumori moved in. He was the cool uncle everyone wanted¡ªbrilliant, kind, and endlessly patient. A genius scientist and engineer, he didn¡¯t work for anyone. Instead, he worked in secret, tinkering away in a hidden lab he¡¯d built beneath our house. He¡¯d relocated it there after moving in, saying it was safer. I didn¡¯t ask questions. I was just glad he was there. He taught me everything¡ªhow to fix broken radios, how to solve complex equations, even how to build small machines. But he never talked about Mom. Not until the footage. The Footage Five years after that, I sat on the same couch, in front of the same TV. Uncle Shizumori sat beside me, his face pale but composed. The screen flickered to life, casting a pale blue glow across the room. I leaned closer, my breath catching in my throat. The video was grainy, shaky, as if filmed in secret. But there was no mistaking what it showed. Rows of people¡ªhundreds of them¡ªstrapped to metal chairs. Their faces were gaunt, their eyes hollow. Tubes snaked from their arms to machines that beeped rhythmically, like a morbid lullaby. And then, the screaming started. I flinched, my fingers digging into the edge of the desk. The camera panned to a man in a white coat... The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The room was sterile, lit by flickering fluorescents that cast long shadows over the steel tables. Rika Nishi lay strapped to one, her wrists and ankles bound by leather cuffs. The woman¡¯s face filled the frame. Her hair was matted, her lips cracked, but her eyes¡ªher eyes were the same. Kind. Gentle. She''d stopped screaming hours ago. Now, she just stared at the ceiling, her breath shallow, her lips cracked and bleeding. The man in the white coat adjusted his gloves, his face obscured by a surgical mask. Beside him, a machine hummed softly, its screen flashing numbers in bright red:
PAIN LEVEL: 8.2.
"Subject 90475," he said, his voice detached.
"Prepare for Phase Three."
Rika turned her head slightly, her eyes dull but defiant. The door creaked open, and two more figures entered¡ªone holding a serrated blade, the other a blowtorch. "Please," she whispered, her voice raw. "My son..." The man in the coat ignored her, nodding to the others. ¡°No,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling. ¡°No, no, no.¡± They grabbed her left hand, stretching it taut over the edge of the table. The blade came down in a single, efficient motion, severing her pinky finger. Rika''s body jerked, a guttural scream tearing from her throat. The machine beeped frantically -PAIN LEVEL: 9.8. The man in the coat watched the screen, scribbling notes.
"Fascinating. The spike is sharper than previous subjects."
The second figure pressed the blowtorch to the bleeding stump. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, acrid and sweet. Rika''s scream died to a whimper, her vision blurring. They repeated the process with each finger, one by one, until her hand was a mangled, charred ruin. "Hemostasis achieved," the man said. "Proceed." They repeated the process with her right hand. This time, she didn¡¯t scream. She bit down on her tongue until copper flooded her mouth, her eyes locked on the ceiling. For a moment, her mind drifted. She saw Shinra¡¯s face¡ªhis bright, curious eyes, his mischievous smile. She remembered the day he¡¯d built his first radio, how proud he¡¯d been when it crackled to life. She wished she could see him one last time, tell him how much she loved him. Shinra, she thought. I''m sorry. I''m so sorry. When the session ended, they dumped her in a concrete cell. The floor was slick with waste, the air thick with the stench of decay. Around her, bodies lay piled like broken dolls¡ªsome missing limbs, others with scorched skin, all silent. The texture of the corpses was gritty, their skin cold and rubbery to the touch, like wet clay left to rot in the sun. A grate in the floor rattled open. Two guards dragged her to the edge, their grips bruising. Below, a river of black sludge churned, carrying skeletal remains into the depths of the sewage system. "Rot with the rest," one muttered, shoving a grenade in her mouth and pulling the pin, then pushing her down the river of corpses. Rika hit the sludge with a splash, the cold biting into her wounds. She clawed at the walls, her severed arms leaving streaks of red in the filth. But the current was too strong. It pulled her under, filling her lungs with poison. But she didn¡¯t have the dignity of dying from it, her head exploded before the poison could harm her. ¡°Mom¡­¡± The word tore from my throat, raw and desperate. She was supposed to be on Mars. In paradise. Not here. Not like this. The video cut to another scene. A man in a suit stood at the front of the room, his face obscured by shadows. His voice was calm, almost soothing, as he spoke.
¡°Pain is the answer,¡±
he said.
¡°Through pain, we evolve. Through pain, we conquer. And through pain, we will build a new world.¡±
The screen went black. I sat there, frozen, my heart pounding in my ears. The room felt smaller, suffocating. I reached for the pendant around my neck¡ªa small, silver locket she¡¯d given me before they took her. Inside was a faded photo of us, smiling on a beach I barely remembered. It felt heavier now, as if it carried the weight of her absence. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I choked out, clutching the locket. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± Uncle Shizumori placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip steady. ¡°We¡¯ll fix this,¡± he said quietly.
¡°I promise...¡±
I didn¡¯t reply. I couldn¡¯t. The weight of it all crashed down on me, and I broke. Tears streamed down my face as I buried my head in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Uncle Shizumori didn¡¯t say anything. He just pulled me into his arms and held me as I cried. I don¡¯t know how long it lasted. All I remember is the sound of my own sobs and the steady rhythm of his breathing. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and everything faded to black. The Next Morning When I woke, I was in my bed. The blanket Mom had knitted years ago was draped over me, its familiar weight a small comfort. Sunlight streamed through the window, but it did little to lift the heaviness in my chest. The light that once brought me joy now made me remember the horrors I saw last night. Uncle Shizumori sat at the foot of the bed, his face tired but determined. When he saw I was awake, he spoke softly. ¡°I told you I¡¯d fix this,¡± he said.
¡°I¡¯ll keep my word.¡±
He stood and walked to the corner of the room, opening a hidden panel in the wall. Behind it was a staircase leading down into a vast, dimly lit lab. He returned with a battered notebook and a stack of blueprints. ¡°This is how we¡¯ll fix it,¡± he said, handing them to me.
¡°A way to go back.¡±
I opened the notebook, my hands trembling. Pages of equations, diagrams, and notes filled it¡ªa blueprint for a time machine. My eyes scanned the calculations, my mind racing. Differential equations. Quantum mechanics. Molecular vibration. It was brilliant. Insane. Impossible. But not for me. I looked up at Uncle Shizumori, my heart pounding. ¡°You¡¯ve been working on this?¡± He nodded. ¡°For years. But I can¡¯t finish it alone. I need your help.¡± I stared at him, my mind reeling. ¡°Why me?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re a prodigy, Shinra,¡± he said simply. ¡°You were solving differential equations at six. You created your own formulas for quantum physics at eleven. If anyone can build this, it¡¯s you.¡± I flipped through the notebook, my fingers tracing the diagrams. The plan was audacious. The machine would vibrate the body¡¯s molecules until they broke down into subatomic particles, small enough to enter a quantum dimension¡ªa realm where space and time were fluid. There, the particles could travel at the speed of light without destroying the planet, crossing the fabric of spacetime itself. It was like something out of a sci-fi movie. But it made sense. Every equation, every calculation¡ªit was flawless. ¡°I can do this,¡± I said, my voice steady now. ¡°But you can¡¯t come with me.¡± Uncle Shizumori was shocked. ¡°What? Why not?¡± ¡°Because if something goes wrong, you¡¯re the only one who can fix it,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who understands the machine, you''re the genius who thought of this. If I get stuck in the past¡ªor worse¡ªyou¡¯re the only one who can bring me back.¡± He hesitated, then sighed. ¡°You¡¯re right. But that doesn¡¯t mean I have to like it.¡± I managed a small smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to like it. You just have to trust me.¡± He studied me for a moment, then nodded.
¡°Alright. Let¡¯s get to work.¡±
--- **End of Chapter 1** --- Chapter 2 : The Machine Chapter 2: The Machine The lab beneath our house was a labyrinth of wires, tools, and half-finished inventions. Blueprints covered the walls, and the air hummed with the sound of machinery. Uncle Shizumori stood at the center of it all, his sleeves rolled up and his glasses perched on the edge of his nose. He looked up as I descended the stairs, his expression a mix of determination and exhaustion. ¡°Ready to get to work?¡± he asked, handing me a stack of papers. I nodded, though my hands trembled as I took them. The equations were complex, but familiar. Differential calculus, quantum mechanics, molecular vibration¡ªit was all there, laid out in Uncle Shizumori¡¯s precise handwriting. I flipped through the pages, my mind racing. ¡°This is incredible,¡± I said, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°But it¡¯s going to take time.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t have time,¡± he replied, his tone grim. ¡°Every second we waste is another second your mom suffers.¡± I clenched my fists, the weight of his words pressing down on me. He was right. We had to move fast. But building a time machine wasn¡¯t like fixing a radio or solving a math problem. It was uncharted territory, and the stakes were higher than anything I¡¯d ever faced. --- The Blueprint of Salvation Uncle Shizumori spread a set of blueprints across the workbench. ¡°This is the plan,¡± he said, pointing to a detailed diagram of a bunker. ¡°I built this years ago, just in case. It¡¯s hidden, self-sustaining, and completely off the grid. When you go back, you¡¯ll arrive just before the officers take your mom. You¡¯ll warn her¡ªwithout revealing your identity¡ªand guide her to the bunker. She¡¯ll be safe there.¡± I stared at the blueprints, my mind racing. ¡°What if she doesn¡¯t believe me?¡± ¡°She will,¡± he said firmly.
¡°You¡¯ll have proof. And if she doesn¡¯t¡­ well, you¡¯ll figure it out. You¡¯re her son, Shinra. She¡¯ll trust you, even if she doesn¡¯t know it¡¯s you.¡±
I nodded, though doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind. What if I messed up? What if I couldn¡¯t save her? --- The Spark of Creation Uncle Shizumori walked over to a locked cabinet and pulled out a small, glowing vial. Inside was a swirling mass of light, pulsing like a living thing. ¡°This,¡± he said, holding it up, ¡°is the God Particle. I acquired it years ago through¡­ let¡¯s just say, less-than-legal means. It¡¯s the key to the machine.¡± I stared at the vial, mesmerized. ¡°What does it do?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the fundamental building block of existence,¡± he explained. ¡°Scientists first theorized its existence in the early 21st century, calling it the Higgs boson. They said it gave mass to everything in the universe. But they barely scratched the surface. This¡ª¡± he held up the vial, ¡°¡ªis the real thing. It allows us to manipulate matter and energy on a subatomic level. With it, we can vibrate and break down your molecules enough to enter the subatomic quantum dimension. But it¡¯s not just about your body, Shinra. It¡¯s about your soul¡ªyour essence. The God Particle will guide you through the flow of time, ensuring you arrive intact.¡± I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in.
¡°And the old timeline? What happens to it?¡±
--- The Fracture of Time Uncle Shizumori grabbed a marker and drew a straight line on a whiteboard.
¡°This is the original timeline.¡± ¡°Everything that¡¯s happened¡ªthe wars, the company, your mom¡¯s suffering¡ªit¡¯s all here.¡±
He drew a second line branching off at a 45-degree angle.
¡°This is the new timeline you¡¯ll create. When you go back, you¡¯ll change things. The original timeline won¡¯t just disappear¡ªit¡¯ll be erased. The universe can¡¯t sustain an infinite number of timelines. though the number is close to infinite, it is defined. If you create a new one, the old one will be overwritten.¡±
I frowned.
¡°But what about the people in the old timeline? What happens to them?¡±
¡°They¡¯ll be redirected,¡± he said.
¡°Their souls, their essence¡ªit¡¯ll all flow into the new timeline. To them, it¡¯ll feel like nothing changed. They won¡¯t remember the old world. But to you, Shinra, it¡¯ll be different. You¡¯ll know what you¡¯ve done. You¡¯ll know you¡¯ve removed them from a world of suffering and brought them into a new one.¡±
He paused, his expression turning serious.
¡°But remember, you cannot be identified as Nishi Shinra. You can use your name with people you trust, but that¡¯s it. You¡¯ll be forgotten. The new you from the new timeline you create will be the son of Rika Nishi. It won¡¯t be you. She might not think of you as her son, but trust me, Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. a mother¡¯s love is the strongest thing in the universe. She might not remember you, but she will love you. To her, you¡¯ll be like a son she never gave birth to. But the love¡ªthat¡¯s what¡¯s important.¡±
I clenched my fists, the gravity of his words hitting me like a ton of bricks.
¡°So¡­ I¡¯m saving Mom. That¡¯s all that matters.¡±
He nodded. ¡°But it comes at a cost. Once you go back, there¡¯s no coming home. The old timeline will be gone. You¡¯ll have to live with the consequences of your actions. No do-overs.¡± --- The Gambler¡¯s Guide to Survival Uncle Shizumori reached into a drawer and pulled out a thick, leather-bound book. He handed it to me, his expression serious.
¡°This is everything you¡¯ll need to survive in the past. Lottery numbers, casino wins, sports bets¡ªevery major event from the last two centuries is in here. Use it to make money quickly and quietly. But be careful. Drawing too much attention could ruin everything.¡±
I flipped through the pages, my eyes widening at the sheer amount of information. ¡°This is¡­ incredible.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your lifeline,¡± he said. ¡°Use it wisely.¡± He then handed me a folder filled with blueprints. ¡°These are the plans for the time machine. I know you can¡¯t build it without me, but take them anyway. Just in case.¡± I nodded, tucking the book and blueprints into my bag. ¡°Thank you, Uncle.¡± --- The Weight of a Promise Uncle Shizumori¡¯s expression turned serious.
¡°Listen carefully, Shinra. Your mission is to save your mother. That¡¯s it. Do not interfere with the war, the company, or anything else. Changing too much could destabilize the timeline. Things won¡¯t go as planned, and you could make everything worse. Focus on her. Nothing else.¡±
I nodded, though a part of me wondered if I could really stand by and do nothing. But I pushed the thought aside. Mom was all that mattered. --- The Forge of Eternity We worked tirelessly, day and night. The lab became our world, a place where time seemed to stand still. Uncle Shizumori handled the engineering, welding steel and calibrating circuits with the precision of a master craftsman. I focused on the theoretical side, refining the equations and ensuring the machine¡¯s stability. The machine itself was a marvel¡ªa towering structure of steel and glass, its core glowing with a faint blue light. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it was real. And it was ours.
¡°The God Particle will power the core,¡± Uncle Shizumori explained one night, his voice hoarse from hours of work. ¡°It¡¯ll vibrate your molecules, break them down into subatomic particles, and guide your essence through the quantum dimension. But remember, Shinra, this isn¡¯t just about physics. It¡¯s about the soul. The God Particle will ensure you arrive intact¡ªbody and spirit.¡±
I nodded, though the concept still felt surreal. There was no safety net. No second chance. If I messed up, it was over. --- The Leap into the Unknown After weeks of work, the machine was finally ready. Or at least, as ready as it would ever be. Uncle Shizumori stood at the control panel, his face pale but determined. I stood in the center of the machine, my heart pounding in my chest. ¡°Remember,¡± he said, his voice steady.
¡°Your mission is to save your mother. Nothing else. Do not interfere with the timeline more than necessary. Focus on her.¡±
I nodded, clutching the pendant around my neck. Inside was the photo of Mom and me, a reminder of what I was fighting for. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± I said, though my voice shook. Uncle Shizumori hesitated, his hand hovering over the switch.
¡°Shinra¡­ be careful. I can¡¯t lose you too.¡±
I managed a small smile. ¡°You won¡¯t. I promise.¡± He nodded, then flipped the switch. The machine roared to life, its core glowing brighter and brighter. The air around me crackled with energy, and I felt my body begin to vibrate. It was like nothing I¡¯d ever experienced¡ªa sensation that was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. And then, everything went white. --- The Echoes of Another Time When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the lab. The air was cleaner, the sky bluer. The city around me was alive with noise and color, but it felt¡­ wrong. The buildings were shorter, the streets narrower, and the cars were boxy, outdated models I¡¯d only seen in old photos. It was like stepping into a history book. I checked the date on my watch: March 2, 2025. My heart skipped a beat. This couldn¡¯t be right. I was only supposed to go back three years¡ªto the day before Mom was taken. But 2025? That was over two decades before the war even started. I stumbled forward, my legs shaky, and looked around for confirmation. A newspaper stand caught my eye. The headline screamed: ¡°New Tech Boom: AI Revolutionizes Industries!¡± The date on the paper was clear: March 2, 2025. I stopped a passerby, a man in a suit who looked like he was in a hurry. ¡°Excuse me, what year is it?¡± He gave me a strange look, like I¡¯d just asked him if the sky was green. ¡°Uh¡­ 2025? You okay, kid?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. My mind was racing. I¡¯d gone too far back. Way too far. Mom wasn¡¯t even born yet. The war, the company, the CEO¡ªnone of it had happened. I was in a world I barely recognized. --- The Ghost of a Smile I barely noticed the woman approaching me. She was in her mid-twenties, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail, her face kind but concerned. Beside her stood a man, his arm around her shoulders, his expression equally worried. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± she asked, her voice soft. ¡°You look¡­ lost.¡± I didn¡¯t reply. I couldn¡¯t. My mind was a whirlwind of shock and disbelief. I barely registered her presence until she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. ¡°Do you need help?¡± the man asked, his tone cautious. ¡°You¡¯re stumbling around like¡­ well, like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡± I finally looked up, my vision blurry with tears. And then I saw her. Really saw her. She looked exactly like Mom. The same kind eyes. The same soft smile. The same way she tilted her head when she was concerned. It wasn¡¯t her¡ªit couldn¡¯t be¡ªbut in that moment, reason didn¡¯t matter. The sorrow, the pain, the years of missing her¡ªit all came crashing down. I lunged at her, wrapping my arms around her in a desperate hug. ¡°Mom!¡± I cried, my voice breaking.
¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m so sorry!¡±
She froze, startled, but didn¡¯t push me away.
¡°Uh¡­ kid, I think you¡¯ve got the wrong person,¡± she said gently, patting my back. ¡°I¡¯m not your mom.¡±
But I didn¡¯t care. I clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably. For the first time in years, I felt like I was home. End of Chapter 2 // To be continued. Chapter 3 : The Ghost Of A Smile Chapter 3: The Ghost of a Smile The woman and the man exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. I was sobbing uncontrollably, my face buried in the woman¡¯s shoulder. They didn¡¯t know what to do, but they could tell I¡¯d been through something unimaginable. The man shifted uncomfortably, glancing around as if expecting someone to intervene. The woman, however, held me tighter, her hand gently patting my back. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she whispered. ¡°Let it out.¡± After what felt like an eternity, my sobs subsided into shaky breaths. I pulled away, my face red and tear-streaked, and looked at the ground, embarrassed. The woman crouched down to my level, her voice soft but firm.
¡°Do you have somewhere to go?¡± she asked.
I didn¡¯t answer, but the way my shoulders slumped and my eyes avoided hers told her everything she needed to know. The man leaned in, whispering to her.
¡°We should take him to the police. Or child services. They¡¯ll know what to do.¡±
The woman shook her head, cutting him off. ¡°Look at him. He¡¯s exhausted. His clothes are torn, and he¡¯s clearly been through something traumatic. If we take him to the police now, they¡¯ll just bombard him with questions. He needs rest first.¡± The man hesitated, glancing at me. ¡°But¡­ what if he¡¯s dangerous? We don¡¯t even know who he is.¡± The woman gave him a look that said, Really?
¡°Look at him. Does he look dangerous to you? He¡¯s just a kid. And¡­ I don¡¯t know why, but I feel like I can trust him. He looks¡­ familiar.¡±
The man sighed, knowing better than to argue with her when she got that tone. ¡°Alright, fine. But if he steals our stuff, I¡¯m blaming you.¡± The woman rolled her eyes and turned back to me.
¡°Would you like to come to our house? It¡¯s big enough for four people, but it¡¯s just the two of us. You can rest there for a while.¡±
I blinked, surprised. ¡°Why¡­ why are you helping me? You don¡¯t even know me.¡± The woman smiled, ignoring my question. ¡°It¡¯s settled, then. You¡¯re coming with us.¡± I shook my head, backing away. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a burden. I¡¯ll¡­ figure something out.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± she said, grabbing my wrist with surprising strength. ¡°You¡¯re coming with me, whether you like it or not.¡± I blinked, startled. The man chuckled dryly. ¡°Give up, kid. When she gets like this, even God can¡¯t change her mind. Trust me¡ªyou don¡¯t wanna see her actually angry.¡± I hesitated, but the woman was already dragging me toward their car. --- The House The house was a cozy two-story cottage with ivy crawling up the walls. My chest tightened as we stepped inside¡ªthe smell of lavender and old wood was achingly familiar. The woman nudged me forward, her tone brisk but kind. ¡°Bathroom¡¯s down the hall. Guest room¡¯s upstairs. Kitchen¡¯s stocked, so help yourself if you¡¯re hungry.¡± She paused, tilting her head.
¡°What¡¯s your name, anyway?¡±
¡°Shinra,¡± I said quietly.
She smiled. ¡°I¡¯m Hana. This grumpy lump is Ren.¡±
Ren grunted, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. My pulse quickened. Hana. My grandmother¡¯s name. I forced myself to stay calm. ¡°And your¡­ last name?¡± I asked, feigning casualness. Hana raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why?¡± I gestured vaguely. ¡°Just¡­ curious. Is it¡­ Nishi?¡± Hana froze. Ren straightened, his hand drifting subtly toward his waistband¡ªwhere I now noticed the grip of a pistol tucked into his jeans. ¡°How do you know that?¡± Hana asked, her voice icy. I swallowed. ¡°Lucky guess?¡± Hana and Ren shared a look. Without a word, Hana plastered on a smile.
¡°Let¡¯s finish the tour! You¡¯ll love the storage room¡ªvery cozy.¡±
Ren stepped forward, blocking the exit as Hana herded me toward a narrow door under the stairs. --- The Trap The storage room was pitch-black until Hana yanked a pull-chain light. Dust motes swirled around shelves stacked with boxes labeled Wedding Stuff and Ren¡¯s Junk. ¡°Cute, right?¡± Hana said, her cheerfulness forced. ¡°Plenty of space!¡± I turned to leave, but Ren was already slamming the door. The lock clicked. ¡°What the¡ª? Let me out!¡± I shouted, pounding on the door.
¡°Who are you, and how do you know my name?¡±
I leaned against the door, my mind racing. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
¡°I¡­ I can explain. Just¡­ please don¡¯t call the cops.¡±
¡°Why not?¡± the woman asked. ¡°If you¡¯ve got nothing to hide, you¡¯ve got nothing to worry about.¡±
I took a deep breath. ¡°Because¡­ I don¡¯t exist here. Not legally, anyway.¡±
There was a pause. Then the woman¡¯s voice came again, sharper this time. ¡°What do you mean, you don¡¯t exist?¡± I slid the notebook from my backpack under the door. ¡°Look at this. It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s a record of lottery numbers, casino wins, sports bets¡ªeverything. I¡¯m from the future.¡± The woman laughed, but it was a nervous laugh. ¡°Yeah, right. And I¡¯m the queen of England.¡± I pressed my forehead against the door.
¡°Please. Just¡­ give me a chance. Look at the numbers. Buy a few lottery tickets. If I¡¯m lying, you can call the cops. But if I¡¯m telling the truth¡­ you¡¯ll know.¡±
There was another pause, longer this time. Then the woman sighed. ¡°Fine. But if this is some kind of scam, you¡¯re in big trouble.¡± --- The Proof A few hours later, the woman returned to the storage room. She opened the door just enough to slide a plate of food and a glass of water inside, all while holding a gun aimed at me. I looked up at her, my expression a mix of hope and fear. ¡°Did you¡­?¡± I started to ask. The woman didn¡¯t answer. She just closed the door and locked it again. I sat down, picking at the food. I couldn¡¯t help but smile. Even locked in a storage room, my grandmother was still looking out for me. I remembered how much I¡¯d loved her growing up, how she¡¯d always been there for me. As I nibbled on the sandwich she¡¯d given me, I noticed a box labeled Ren¡¯s Junk nearby. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked inside. It was filled with old action figures, comic books, and¡­ a pair of neon-green socks with cartoon frogs on them. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.
Grandpa Ren had a wild side, huh?
Grandpa and Grandma were really nice people. I was acting suspiciously and I understand that but... They definitely have some other reasons to lock me up as soon as they noticed that I was acting weird. And then I remembered something else¡ªsomething important. I jumped to my feet and banged on the door. ¡°Hey! I need to tell you something!¡± The woman opened the door a crack, her expression wary. ¡°What now?¡± I took a deep breath.
¡°You have a scar on your left shoulder. You got it when you fell from the second floor of your parents¡¯ house as a kid. You had to have surgery, and you used to hide the scar because you were self-conscious about it. But later, you embraced it. You told me that it was a reminder to be yourself, no matter what.¡±
The woman¡¯s eyes widened. She stepped back, her hand instinctively touching her shoulder. Before she could say anything, her fianc¨¦ burst into the room, his face pale and sweaty. ¡°You¡¯re not going to believe this,¡± he said, holding up a stack of lottery tickets.
¡°I bought 15 tickets based on the numbers in that book. And¡­ I won. All 15.¡±
The woman stared at him, then at me, her mind racing. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
¡°Who are you?¡±
I looked at her, my eyes filled with emotion.
¡°I¡¯m your grandson... from the future.¡±
--- The Aftermath Hana and Ren exchanged a long, silent look before finally lowering the gun and stepping aside. I stumbled out of the storage room, my legs stiff from sitting for hours. I took a deep breath of fresh air, relieved to be out of the cramped space. ¡°So,¡± I said, breaking the tension, ¡°how much did you win?¡± Ren blinked, then grinned.
¡°Five 100k lotteries and ten 1-million-dollar ones. Total? 10.5 million bucks. In one night.¡±
I whistled. ¡°Not bad for a first try.¡± Hana, still visibly shaken, crossed her arms.
¡°I¡¯m a doctor, Shinra. I have a mini-lab in the basement. I can run a DNA test and find out if you¡¯re lying. This is your last chance to come clean.¡±
I met her gaze steadily. ¡°I¡¯m not lying.¡± Hana sighed, then grabbed my arm. ¡°Come on, then. Let¡¯s settle this.¡± As we descended into the basement, I winced as Hana plucked a strand of my hair. ¡°Ow! That hurts!¡± Hana rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, please. You¡¯re from the future, but a little hair-pulling is too much for you?¡± I rubbed my head, muttering, ¡°Future or not, I still have nerves, you know.¡± Ren chuckled, leaning against the wall. ¡°Kid¡¯s got a point, Hana. Be gentle.¡± Hana ignored us both, already focused on the DNA samples. She worked quickly, her hands moving with practiced precision. Ren and I tried to get her attention, but she was in full scientist mode, barely noticing our existence. Ren shrugged and turned to me. ¡°Ice cream?¡± I blinked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Ice cream,¡± Ren repeated, heading for the kitchen.
¡°You look like you could use some sugar. And I could use a break from all this drama.¡±
I followed, still wary but grateful for the distraction. As Ren scooped vanilla ice cream into bowls, he glanced at me, his tone light but his eyes serious. ¡°Just so you know,¡± Ren said, ¡°if you try anything funny, I¡¯ll shoot you. No hard feelings.¡± I froze mid-bite. ¡°Uh¡­ noted.¡± Ren laughed, clapping me on the back. ¡°Relax, kid. I¡¯m just messing with you. Mostly.¡± Despite the threat, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. There was something about Ren¡ªsomething familiar and comforting, even if he was holding a gun earlier. --- The Truth An hour later, Hana burst into the kitchen, her face pale and her hands trembling. ¡°It¡¯s a match,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
¡°Shinra, Ren, and I¡­ we¡¯re family. Close family. Parents or grandparents, the test indicates.¡±
Ren dropped his spoon, his jaw hanging open. I looked between them, my heart pounding. Hana sank into a chair, her hands covering her face. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t even know where to start.¡± Ren recovered first, his usual humor returning. ¡°Well, this explains why you looked so familiar, kid. Guess you¡¯re stuck with us now.¡± I managed a small smile. ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡±
Hana looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. ¡°You¡¯re exhausted, Shinra. We¡¯ll save the questions for later. For now, let¡¯s just¡­ eat.¡±
We finished our ice cream in silence, the weight of the revelation hanging in the air. When it was time for bed, Hana and Ren walked me to the guest room. As they turned to leave, I called out, ¡°Don¡¯t you have questions for me? Why I came from the future, or why I¡­ why I cried for my mother?¡± Ren paused, then shook his head. ¡°The questions can wait. You¡¯ve had a long day. Get some rest.¡± --- The Night A few hours later, Ren woke up to find Hana¡¯s side of the bed empty. He found her sitting next to my bed, tears streaming down her face as she held my bruised hand. ¡°Poor boy,¡± she whispered.
¡°What kind of fate did he suffer to come running back all the way here? And I¡­ I locked him up like a criminal. All he wanted was love, and I¡ª¡±
Ren knelt beside her, his hand on her shoulder. He looks into her eyes, no words exchanged. Yet she knew exactly what he meant. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± Hana leaned into him, her sobs muffled against his chest. Ren held her tightly, his eyes fixed on my sleeping face. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out,¡± Ren murmured... ¡°Together.¡± --- End of Chapter 3 --- Chapter 4 : A Plan For The Future Chapter 4: A Plan for the Future Morning Light Sunlight filtered through the curtains as I stirred awake. My body ached, but the smell of bacon and coffee pulled me out of bed. I shuffled into the kitchen, where Hana was flipping pancakes and Ren was scrolling through stock charts on a tablet. ¡°Morning, Granny,¡± I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. Hana froze mid-flip. ¡°Granny ?!¡± Ren snorted. ¡°Kid¡¯s got a death wish.¡± I blinked, suddenly alert. ¡°Uh¡­ Hana. Hana. Sorry, force of habit.¡± Hana narrowed her eyes but slid a plate of pancakes toward me. ¡°Eat. And explain these injuries.¡± She pointed at my bandaged arms. I shrugged.
¡°Built a time machine. Uncle Shizumori¡¯s lab was¡­ chaotic. If you think these are bad, you should¡¯ve seen him. Geniuses forget to look where they¡¯re walking sometimes.¡±
Ren raised an eyebrow.
¡°Explains the burn mark on your shirt. Time travel¡¯s messy business, huh?¡±
¡°You have no idea,¡± I said, drowning my pancakes in syrup. --- The Soldier¡¯s Tale I eyed the pistol holstered at Ren¡¯s hip. ¡°Why do you carry that?¡± Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why? Scared?¡± ¡°Curious,¡± I said. ¡°In my timeline, you were¡­ different. Retired early. Ran a restaurant. Never mentioned guns.¡± Ren snorted. ¡°Well, in this timeline, I was in the army. Saw enough blood to last a lifetime. Quit, made a fortune in stocks, and now I¡¯m here.¡± He patted the gun.
¡°Old habits die hard.¡±
I blinked. ¡°Stocks? Seriously?¡± Ren smirked. ¡°Kid, I retired at 35. Meanwhile, Granny here¡±¡ªhe jerked a thumb at Hana¡ª¡°won¡¯t quit her job if you paid her.¡± Hana threw a dish towel at him. ¡°I¡¯m a doctor. Saving lives beats stocks.¡±
I grinned. ¡°You two haven¡¯t changed.¡±
Hana and Ren froze. You two?¡± they said in unison, their voices squeaking like startled anime characters. I burst out laughing. ¡°Yeah. Grandma and Grandpa. Get used to it.¡± Hana¡¯s face turned red. ¡°I¡¯m 27!¡± Ren groaned. ¡°Kid, I¡¯m not even 30 yet. "Grandpa" makes me sound ancient.¡± ¡°You are ancient,¡± Hana muttered. ¡°Says the granny,¡± Ren fired back. --- The Plan Ren leaned forward, his playful tone shifting to serious.
"So, tell me. Why did you want to time travel in the first place ? what exactly happened in the future ?"
I told him everything I knew, about the wars, Prometheus, The CEO, Everything... Including my mother. Ren and hana were surprised to know that so much could happen so fast. Hana''s eyes were teary, but she held them back. Ren however, was unphased. he sighs and says
¡°The future is that bad huh ? Alright, kid. What¡¯s the grand plan? How do we fix this future of yours?¡±
I pulled out my battered notebook and flipped it open. You see, the wars didn''t start out of greed, they started out of HUNGER and DESPERATION. The two main reasons for that were the lack of forests and the assassinations of scientists who built Eco Friendly machines. They wanted to build a world where natural resources weren''t needed to live a luxurious life. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. But they were killed because the industry was just so big and profitable. people found money in burning fossil fuels and not in saving the planet in the long run. No one dared to do ANYTHING to help build machines like that ever again. Which caused people to burn even more natural resources, including forests. deforestation was so common that what should have taken centuries to happen only took a couple of decades. people ran out of food, clean water and pollution was immense.
Governments and entire nations collapsed, all they could see was a path of war. They waged wars against their neighbouring countries with whom they shared friendships for centuries... all so that they could live. The situation got so bad that Nuclear warheads were only one step away from being used. If that happened, the world would have ended. And THAT is when Prometheus came into play. You know the rest... They stopped the weapons supply to other countries and ended the war with little to no effort. Thats how he was named as "The Saviour", A Visionary, A man who saved the world.... until they saw what he did- did to-... My mother and countless others. *SIGH* that should give you enough context. now for the actual plan
Granny was trying her best to hide her tears but i could still them dripping down her eyes. She was always a kind woman. She didn''t want me to see her like that. Ren understood that, he was just waiting for an opportunity to change the subject. "ok so what''s the actual plan ?" he asked
¡°Step one: money. Lotteries, bets, stocks¡ªI¡¯ll turn 10 million into 10 billion.¡±
Ren whistled. ¡°Ambitious.¡±
¡°Step two: buy every forest on the planet. Protect them. No deforestation, no wars over resources.¡±
Hana frowned. ¡°And the scientists?¡± I tapped a list of names.
¡°These people invented machines that could¡¯ve saved the world¡ªsolar-powered cars, water engines. Prometheus killed them. I¡¯ll protect them, make their inventions mainstream.¡±
Ren leaned forward. ¡°How?¡± ¡°Fund them. Hide them if I have to. Make their tech so common, even Prometheus can¡¯t erase it.¡± Hana¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I can reach out to my colleagues. Doctors know scientists.¡± Ren nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll handle security. Army connections still work.¡± --- The Hospital¡¯s Secret Hana pulled out her laptop and typed furiously. ¡°I¡¯m taking a leave from work. Indefinitely.¡± I frowned. ¡°Will they just let you do that? Aren¡¯t jobs usually strict?¡± Hana smirked. ¡°I¡¯m not just a doctor there. I own the hospital. And I have a substitute doctor with the same degree as me for situations like this.¡± My jaw dropped. ¡°You own the hospital? That¡¯s¡­ cool as hell.¡± Ren chuckled.
¡°Don¡¯t let it go to her head. She¡¯s just lazy. Takes too much time off. So much for saving lives. Hehehehe.¡±
I burst out laughing. Hana¡¯s face turned red. ¡°I can save more lives by researching cures and vaccines. That¡¯s why I have the lab in the basement.¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°The mini lab?¡± Hana rolled her eyes. ¡°The mini refers to the size, not the capabilities. It¡¯s one of the most advanced laboratories in the world.¡± --- Day One: The Grind They got to work immediately. Ren helped me navigate the complexities of buying lottery tickets, placing bets, and trading stocks. I, still adjusting to the timeline and recovering from my concussion, struggled with the details.
¡°Why¡¯s this so complicated?¡±
I groaned, rubbing my temples. Ren patted my shoulder. ¡°Relax, kid. You¡¯ve got a mild concussion and time lag. Let me handle the heavy lifting.¡± Meanwhile, Hana scoured her network for scientists working on eco-friendly machines. She found 37 names including the ones in the last that shinra gave her¡ªsome established researchers, others still in university. ¡°These people are considered fools in the science community,¡± Hana said, shaking her head.
¡°Anyone who tries to challenge the status quo gets silenced.¡±
--- The First Victory That evening, I returned home at the same time as Ren. Hana was waiting in the living room, a stack of papers in her hands. ¡°How¡¯d it go?¡± she asked. I grinned. ¡°We bought lotteries and bets worth 12 billion today. Only 4 billion were announced, so we cashed out 4 billion.¡± Hana¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°4 billion? In one day?¡± Ren nodded. ¡°We invested internationally. Based on our estimates, we¡¯ll hit 100 billion in two weeks, including the time to cash out.¡± Hana leaned back, impressed. ¡°You two are insane.¡± I laughed. ¡°Insane enough to save the world.¡± --- Guardians of the Future I turned to Ren. ¡°We need to protect the scientists. All 37 of them. Can you arrange private assassins? Not to kill anyone¡ªjust to guard them.¡± Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Assassins? That¡¯s¡­ specific.¡± I shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ll pay them 5 million per day each. Only the best of the best. We¡¯ve got the money to spare.¡± Hana blinked. ¡°185 million a day? That¡¯s¡­ a lot.¡± Ren smirked. ¡°Compared to the billions we¡¯re making, it¡¯s pocket change. I¡¯ll make some calls.¡± Hana sighed. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough business talk for today. Shinra, don¡¯t forget¡ªyou¡¯re still recovering. You need rest.¡± I groaned. ¡°Granny, I¡¯m fine.¡± Hana crossed her arms. ¡°Oh, really? Then why are you swaying like a drunk penguin?¡± Ren burst out laughing. ¡°She¡¯s got a point, kid. You look like you¡¯re about to faceplant into the pancakes.¡± I glared at them. ¡°I¡¯m not a penguin.¡± Hana smirked. ¡°Prove it. Walk in a straight line.¡± I stood up, took two steps, and immediately stumbled. Ren caught me, grinning. ¡°Definitely a penguin.¡± I groaned again. ¡°I hate you both.¡± --- A Quiet Goodnight Later that night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My head still throbbed, but my heart felt lighter. I heard a soft knock on the door. ¡°Come in,¡± I said. Hana and Ren stepped inside. Hana sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my hair back. ¡°You¡¯ve been through so much,¡± she whispered. ¡°But you¡¯re safe now. We¡¯ll figure this out together.¡± Ren placed a hand on my shoulder. ¡°Get some rest, kid. Tomorrow¡¯s another day.¡± I smiled, my eyes closing. ¡°Thanks¡­ Grandma. Grandpa.¡± Hana and Ren exchanged a look, their eyes glistening. They stayed by my side until I fell asleep, their hands clasped tightly over mine. It was almost as if... They knew that I''d need it... Almost as if they KNEW about what was happening to me... --- End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 : A New Dawn Chapter 5: A New Dawn I woke up the next morning, feeling... different. My body, which had been aching from the concussion and time lag just the day before, now felt light and energized. I stretched my arms, expecting the usual stiffness, but there was none. I jumped out of bed, testing my legs, and even did a little spin. I felt good. I left my room and found Hana in the kitchen, humming softly as she cooked breakfast. Ren was at the table, sipping coffee and scrolling through something on his tablet. The smell of food filled the air, and for a moment, I felt a wave of warmth. I was home. Safe. Loved. "Morning," I said, sliding into a chair at the table. Hana turned, smiling. "Morning, Shinra. How are you feeling?" "Actually... great," I said, still a little surprised. "Like, really great. I thought I¡¯d be a mess after yesterday, but I feel like I could run a marathon." Hana chuckled, placing a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk in front of me. "That¡¯s the medicine I gave you last night. And a couple of vaccines, too." I froze, my spoon halfway to my mouth. "Wait... you drugged me in my sleep?!" Hana shrugged, completely unfazed.
"You needed it. The future might¡¯ve eradicated most diseases, but here in the past, you¡¯re basically a walking target for every virus and bacteria out there. I just gave you a little... boost."
Shinra¡¯s eyes widened, and his face turned into a comically exaggerated expression of shock. His features somehow seemed to shrink, his eyes becoming huge, round circles, and his mouth dropping open in a perfect "O" shape. He looked like a chibi character straight out of an anime. "YOU DRUGGED ME IN MY SLEEP?!" I shouted, my voice rising several octaves. Ren, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, suddenly choked, spitting it out in a spray. He doubled over, laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face. "Oh my god," he wheezed, clutching his sides. "The look on your face! Priceless!" Hana tried to keep a straight face, but soon she was laughing too, her hands covering her mouth as her shoulders shook. "I didn¡¯t *drug* you! It was medicine! Medicine!" Shinra¡¯s chibi face somehow became even more exaggerated, his cheeks puffing out like a cartoon character.
"MEDICINE?! YOU SNEAKED INTO MY ROOM AND INJECTED ME WITH GOD KNOWS WHAT!"
Ren was now fully on the floor, rolling around in laughter. "She¡¯s a doctor, kid! She knows what she¡¯s doing!" "DOESN¡¯T MAKE IT ANY LESS CREEPY!" I yelled, my tiny arms flailing. Hana finally managed to calm down enough to speak. "Alright, alright, I¡¯m sorry. Next time, I¡¯ll wake you up first. But you needed it, okay? You¡¯re welcome." My face slowly returned to normal, though I still looked mildly offended. "You¡¯re lucky I like you," I muttered, finally taking a bite of my cereal. --- The Breakfast That Hit Home Once the laughter died down, Hana brought over a plate of food for me. It was a dish I hadn¡¯t seen in years¡ªokonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake filled with cabbage, pork, and topped with a special sauce and bonito flakes. But it wasn¡¯t just any okonomiyaki. The way it was made, with the sauce drizzled in a perfect spiral and the bonito flakes arranged in a specific pattern, was exactly how Uncle Shizumori used to make it. My heart sank as I stared at the dish. My face, which had been bright with laughter just moments ago, now fell into a somber expression. Hana noticed immediately. "Shinra? What¡¯s wrong?" I poked at the food with my fork, my voice soft. "Uncle Shizumori... he used to make this for me. Exactly like this. The sauce, the flakes... everything." Hana and Ren exchanged a glance. Hana sat down beside me, her tone gentle. "Tell us about him." I hesitated, then chuckled weakly. "Well, the first time I visited his house without telling him beforehand, he locked me up and almost blew me up with a bomb. Thought I was an intruder." Hana¡¯s eyes widened. "He what ?!" Ren leaned forward, intrigued. "Did he really?" I nodded, a small smile creeping onto my face. "Yeah. He doesn¡¯t get many visitors, and when I do visit, I always let him know ahead of time. So, I guess it was kinda reasonable. Good thing he looked at my face before pulling the trigger, though." Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Hana looked horrified, but Ren burst out laughing. "Sounds like my kind of guy!" I smirked, pointing at them. "And yet you two locked me up and almost shot me too. Guess it runs in the family." Hana turned bright red, stammering.
"W-Well, you knew my full name out of nowhere! And you were acting so suspicious! And Ren¡ªhe¡¯s got enemies from his army days and his stock market stuff. We had to be careful!"
Ren nodded, trying to look serious but failing miserably. "Yeah, I was just protecting Hana. That¡¯s all." Hana rolled her eyes. "As if I¡¯d ever need protection from an old geezer like you." Ren gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "Old geezer? I¡¯m in my prime!" The three of us burst into laughter again, the tension melting away. But as the laughter faded, my smile turned wistful. "All jokes aside... being here with you guys is amazing. But I really do miss Uncle Shizumori." --- The Leap into the Unknown Meanwhile, at the lab in the original timeline, where Uncle Shizumori stands frozen, staring at the time machine¡¯s monitor. The God Particle pulses erratically, casting jagged shadows across the room. The air crackles with unstable energy, and the machine¡¯s hum has turned into a low, ominous growl. Shizumori¡¯s gaze shifts to the monitor on the time machine¡¯s control panel. The screen displays a stream of data¡ªcoordinates, timestamps, and energy readings. His heart sinks as he realizes what has happened. Shinra hasn¡¯t arrived just a few years in the past, as planned. The readings show he has gone back decades¡ªfar earlier than they had intended. "Karen," Shizumori says, his voice calm but urgent. "What just happened?" The AI¡¯s voice echoes from a nearby terminal, its tone clinical and detached.
"The God Particle has entered an unstable state. Its behavior is unpredictable. Initial analysis suggests that the time travel event caused a feedback loop, destabilizing the particle''s quantum coherence."
Shizumori clenches his fists. Shinra was brilliant, but he was still just a kid. Decades in the past? He wouldn¡¯t know how to handle that. The CEO was too powerful, too cunning. Shinra would need help¡ªhelp only Shizumori could provide. "How long until the God Particle stabilizes?" Shizumori asks, his mind racing. "Estimated stabilization time: 14 to 21 days. However, the original timeline will begin to fade as soon as Shinra arrives in the past. You do not have 14 days." Shizumori¡¯s jaw tightens. He had anticipated risks, but this was beyond anything he had imagined. He glances at the machine, then at the AI terminal.
"If I enter the machine now, while the God Particle is unstable, what are my chances of survival?"
Karen pauses, as if calculating the enormity of the question.
"Survival probability: less than 0.8%. Probability of arriving unharmed: less than 0.01%. The unstable God Particle will break down your body into subatomic particles, connecting them through what I will refer to as ''God''s Web.'' Your senses may remain intact, but the rearrangement of your molecular structure could result in severe deformities, disabilities, or immediate death."
Shizumori¡¯s mind races. He had always been a man of logic, but now, faced with the impossible, he feels a strange calm. "If I can control the rearrangement of my molecules, could I increase my chances of survival?" "Theoretically, yes. However, human comprehension of subatomic rearrangement is currently impossible. Your brain lacks the capacity to process such information in real-time." A faint smile tugs at the corners of Shizumori¡¯s lips.
"What if I could increase my IQ? What if I could make my brain capable of comprehending the subatomic state?"
Karen pauses again, longer this time. "The human brain is not designed for such tasks. However, if you could somehow restructure your neural pathways to process information at a quantum level, you might gain the ability to manipulate your own molecular structure. The probability of success is negligible." "Negligible," Shizumori repeats, his voice steady. "But not zero." He turns to the terminal, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "Give me everything you have on neural restructuring. Quantum cognition. Anything that could help me survive this." Karen complies, flooding the screen with data. Shizumori absorbs it all, his mind working faster than it ever had before. He doesn¡¯t have time to second-guess himself. Every second he hesitates is a second closer to the original timeline¡¯s collapse. He spends hours, solving equations frantically, memorizing every little detail, consuming tons of caffiene and lastly, he tells karen to mark the conversation they had just now as an emergency distress signal to Nishi Shinra... The man who built her. Finally, he steps toward the machine, his resolve unshakable.
"If I die, I die. But if I survive... I might be the only one who can stop what¡¯s coming."
He activates the machine, the unstable God Particle roaring to life. The air around him crackles with energy as his body begins to break apart, molecule by molecule. Pain sears through him, but he focuses on the data, on the equations, on the impossible task of rearranging his own mind. As his consciousness fragments, he feels something shift. His thoughts, once bound by the limits of human understanding, begin to expand. He can see the God¡¯s Web now¡ªa vast, intricate network of particles, each one connected to the next. He can feel the spacetime continuum flowing around him, a liquid tapestry of past, present, and future. He focuses on his brain, on the neural pathways that are now his to reshape. With each adjustment, his comprehension grows. He can see the patterns, the connections, the infinite possibilities. His IQ skyrockets, far beyond anything a human mind was meant to achieve. Time ceases to exist. He is no longer in the lab, no longer in the timeline he had known. He is outside of it all, floating in a dimension where past, present, and future are one. He can see Shinra in the past, struggling to adapt. He can see the CEO, hidden in the shadows, plotting his next move. He can see the war, the forests burning, the scientists dying. To him, the flow of space and time is nothing but a river, flowing endlessy... Connected to a web of strings that connect all timelines, all particles, all mass, everything that ever existed, exists and will ever exist. He can see everything, change everything. He can rewrite history itself and no one would know. And he knows what he has to do. --- End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 : The Weight Of A Promise Chapter 6: The Weight of a Promise Morning: The Grind Continues The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the kitchen. I sat at the table, scrolling through stock charts on Ren¡¯s tablet while Hana flipped pancakes on the stove. The smell of bacon and coffee filled the air, and for a moment, it felt like a normal day. But I couldn¡¯t shake the unease that had been gnawing at me since I arrived in the past. ¡°Alright, kid,¡± Ren said, leaning back in his chair. ¡°We¡¯ve got a plan. Today, we hit the casinos. With your little book of future knowledge, we¡¯ll clean them out.¡± I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. I¡¯d been so caught up in the excitement of winning lotteries and making money that I¡¯d almost forgotten why I was here. Almost. Hana placed a plate of pancakes in front of me, her smile warm but concerned. ¡°You¡¯ve been quiet this morning. Everything okay?¡± I forced a smile. ¡°Yeah, just... thinking.¡± Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Thinking? About what? How to spend all the money we¡¯re about to make?¡± I chuckled, but it didn¡¯t reach my eyes. ¡°Something like that.¡± --- The Casino: A Temporary Escape The casino was a whirlwind of lights, sounds, and adrenaline. Ren, Hana, and I moved through the crowd like a well-oiled machine. I placed bets with precision, my notebook of future knowledge guiding every move. Ren handled the logistics, cashing out chips and keeping an eye out for trouble. Hana played the role of the charming distraction, drawing attention away from my suspicious winning streak. By the end of the day, we¡¯d made millions. Ren was grinning from ear to ear, and even Hana looked impressed. But I felt... empty. The thrill of winning had faded, replaced by a growing sense of dread. --- Night: The Nightmare That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The events of the day played over and over in my mind. I¡¯d been so focused on making money, on building a fortune, that I¡¯d almost forgotten the real reason I was here. As sleep finally claimed me, the nightmare began. --- The Dream: I was back in the lab, standing in front of the time machine. Uncle Shizumori was there, his face pale and drawn. ¡°Shinra,¡± he said, his voice trembling. ¡°You have to go back. You have to save her.¡± I nodded, stepping into the machine. But as the God Particle roared to life, something went wrong. The machine shook violently, and I felt my body being torn apart. I screamed, but no sound came out. When I opened my eyes, I was in a dark, sterile room. Rows of people were strapped to metal chairs, their faces gaunt and hollow. Tubes snaked from their arms to machines that beeped rhythmically, like a morbid lullaby. And then I saw her. Mom. She was strapped to a chair, her wrists and ankles bound by leather cuffs. Her hair was matted, her lips cracked, but her eyes¡ªher eyes were the same. Kind. Gentle. ¡°Shinra,¡± she whispered, her voice raw. ¡°Help me.¡± I tried to move, to reach her, but my body wouldn¡¯t obey. I was frozen, helpless, as a man in a white coat stepped forward. The man adjusted his gloves, his face obscured by a surgical mask. ¡°Subject 90475,¡± he said, his voice detached. ¡°Prepare for Phase Three.¡± Mom turned her head slightly, her eyes dull but defiant. The door creaked open, and two more figures entered¡ªone holding a serrated blade, the other a blowtorch. ¡°Please,¡± Mom whispered. ¡°My son...¡± The man in the coat ignored her, nodding to the others. ¡°No!¡± I screamed, but no one heard me. The blade came down in a single, efficient motion, severing Mom¡¯s pinky finger. Her body jerked, a guttural scream tearing from her throat. The machine beeped frantically¡ª
PAIN LEVEL: 9.8.
The man in the coat watched the screen, scribbling notes. ¡°Fascinating,¡± he said. ¡°The spike is sharper than previous subjects.¡± The second figure pressed the blowtorch to the bleeding stump. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, acrid and sweet. Mom¡¯s scream died to a whimper, her vision blurring. They repeated the process with each finger, one by one, until her hand was a mangled, charred ruin. ¡°Hemostasis achieved,¡± the man said. ¡°Proceed.¡± They moved to her other hand. This time, she didn¡¯t scream. She bit down on her tongue until copper flooded her mouth, her eyes locked on the ceiling. For a moment, her mind drifted. She saw my face¡ªmy bright, curious eyes, my mischievous smile. She remembered the day I¡¯d built my first radio, how proud I¡¯d been when it crackled to life. She wished she could see me one last time, tell me how much she loved me. ¡°Shinra,¡± she thought.
¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±
--- Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. The Wake-Up: I woke with a gasp, my body drenched in sweat. I sat up, my heart pounding in my chest. The room was dark, but I could hear the faint sound of footsteps outside my door. The door creaked open, and Hana peeked in, her face filled with concern. ¡°Shinra? Are you okay?¡± I didn¡¯t answer, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Hana stepped inside, followed by Ren. They sat on the edge of the bed, their expressions a mix of worry and sadness. ¡°Bad dream?¡± Ren asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft. I nodded, my hands trembling.
¡°I... I saw her. My mom. They were... they were hurting her.¡±
Hana placed a hand on my hair, brushing it back gently. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Shinra. You¡¯re safe now. We¡¯re here.¡± Ren sighed, his usual gruff demeanor replaced by something softer. ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve been through hell. It¡¯s okay to feel it. But don¡¯t let it break you. You¡¯ve got a mission, remember?¡± I looked at them, my eyes filled with tears.
¡°I... I almost forgot. I got so caught up in making money, in having fun with you guys, that I almost forgot why I¡¯m here.¡±
Hana smiled, her eyes glistening. ¡°You didn¡¯t forget, Shinra. You just needed a reminder. And that¡¯s okay. We all do sometimes.¡± --- Morning: A New Resolve The next morning, I woke with a renewed sense of purpose. The nightmare had shaken me, but it had also reminded me of what was at stake. I couldn¡¯t afford to lose focus. Not now. Not ever. As I sat at the breakfast table, Hana placed a plate of pancakes in front of me. ¡°Feeling better?¡± she asked. I nodded, my expression determined. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m ready to get back to work.¡± Ren grinned, clapping me on the back. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit, kid. Let¡¯s go save the world.¡± --- The Discovery: Karen Ren and I hit the streets early, our mission clear: make more money, fast. The lotteries and casinos had been a goldmine so far, but we couldn¡¯t afford to slow down. Every dollar we earned was another step closer to saving the world. As we walked, Ren pulled out his phone and made a few calls. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s me,¡± he said, his tone serious.
¡°I need you to look into something for me. Ever heard of a group called Prometheus?¡±
I glanced at him, curious. He was talking to his old army buddies, the ones he trusted most. But from the look on his face, it didn¡¯t seem like they had any answers. ¡°Nothing? You¡¯re sure?¡± Ren frowned. ¡°Alright, thanks anyway.¡± He hung up and turned to me. ¡°Strange. No one¡¯s heard of Prometheus. Not even a whisper. How does a group rise to power overnight without anyone noticing?¡± I shrugged, though the question nagged at me too. ¡°Maybe they¡¯re just really good at staying hidden.¡± Ren nodded, but he didn¡¯t look convinced. ¡°Maybe. But something about this just doesn¡¯t add up.¡± He glanced at his watch. ¡°I need to make a few more calls. Stay here, okay? Don¡¯t wander off.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not a kid, Ren.¡± He smirked. ¡°Could¡¯ve fooled me.¡± --- The Discovery: Karen I waited at the lottery shop, scrolling through my notebook of future knowledge. But as I stood there, something caught my eye. A small, sleek device sitting on the counter. It looked... familiar. I picked it up, my heart skipping a beat. It was Karen. The same AI companion Uncle Shizumori and I had built when I was just a kid. But how? Karen shouldn¡¯t exist in this timeline. Not yet. I looked around, my mind racing. How did it get here? Who put it here? The questions swirled in my head, but there were no answers. Just Karen, sitting in my hand like a ghost from the past. --- Lost and Found Before I could process what was happening, I realized I¡¯d wandered away from the lottery shop. The crowds had swallowed me up, and now I had no idea where I was. Panic started to set in, but I forced myself to stay calm. I approached a passerby, a middle-aged man with a kind face. ¡°Excuse me, do you know where the lottery shop is? I think I got lost.¡± The man smiled. ¡°Sure, kid. It¡¯s just a few blocks that way. I¡¯ll take you.¡± As we walked, I kept glancing at Karen, my mind still reeling. How was this possible? Who could have sent it? The only person who knew about Karen was Uncle Shizumori. But he was... gone. Wasn¡¯t he? Just as we turned a corner, I spotted Ren. He was pacing back and forth, his face a mix of relief and annoyance. ¡°There you are!¡± he said, rushing over. ¡°I told you not to wander off!¡± The stranger looked at Ren, then at me, clearly confused. Ren, ever the joker, decided to have some fun. ¡°Thanks for finding my grandson,¡± Ren said, slinging an arm around my shoulders. ¡°This kid¡¯s always getting lost.¡± The stranger blinked, looking Ren up and down. ¡°Your... grandson? But you¡¯re not even¡ª¡± Ren burst out laughing. ¡°Relax, I¡¯m just messing with you. He¡¯s my nephew.¡± The stranger gave him a skeptical look. ¡°You don¡¯t look old enough to have a nephew his age.¡± Ren shrugged, still grinning. ¡°What can I say? My family¡¯s full of surprises.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but laugh, though the word ¡°nephew¡± stuck in my mind. It reminded me of something... something important. But before I could figure it out, Ren grabbed my arm. ¡°Come on, kid. Let¡¯s get you a phone so this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± --- The Phone and the App Ren dragged me to a tech shop and bought me a phone, a new SIM card, and even installed a tracking app. ¡°This is something my buddies and I built back in the day,¡± he explained. ¡°It¡¯ll let us keep tabs on each other in case of emergencies. Hana¡¯s already on it.¡± I nodded, still distracted by Karen. But Ren didn¡¯t seem to notice. He was too busy setting up the phone and saving his and Hana¡¯s contacts. --- Breaking the Ice When we got home, Hana was in the living room, scrolling through a list of names on her laptop. ¡°There you two are,¡± she said, looking up. ¡°How¡¯d it go?¡± Ren grinned. ¡°We made a killing. But this one¡±¡ªhe jerked a thumb at me¡ª¡°decided to take a little detour.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t decide to get lost. It just... happened.¡± Hana raised an eyebrow. ¡°What happened?¡± I hesitated, then pulled Karen out of my pocket.
¡°I found this. At the lottery shop.¡±
Hana and Ren stared at the device, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity. ¡°What is it?¡± Hana asked.
¡°It¡¯s Karen,¡± I said. ¡°An AI companion Uncle Shizumori and I built when I was a kid. But it shouldn¡¯t exist here yet... I''m the one who built this device for Karen. It even has my name engraved at the bottom.¡±
Ren frowned. ¡°So how¡¯d it get there?¡± I shook my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But the only person who could¡¯ve sent it is Uncle Shizumori.¡± Hana¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You think he¡¯s... still out there?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. I didn¡¯t know. But one thing was clear: Uncle Shizumori was watching me. And he wanted me to know it. End of Chapter 6 To be Continued Chapter 7 : A Switch To Fractured Reflections Chapter 7 : A Switch To Fractured Reflections The Story of Karen I sat down at the table, holding Karen in my hands. It felt familiar, like an old friend I hadn¡¯t seen in years. ¡°When I was a kid,¡± I began, ¡°Uncle Shizumori and I built Karen as a school project. While other kids were making volcanoes or baking soda rockets, we built an AI that could evolve and adapt to any situation. It was... insane, even by Uncle Shizumori¡¯s standards.¡± Granny Hana leaned forward, intrigued. ¡°What could it do?¡± ¡°Everything,¡± I said, a small smile creeping onto my face. ¡°Karen could analyze data, solve complex equations, even predict outcomes based on incomplete information. It was like having a supercomputer in your pocket. But the best part was building it. Uncle Shizumori and I spent weeks working on it, tweaking the code and testing the hardware. It was... fun.¡± Grandpa Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Fun? Sounds like a nightmare to me.¡± I chuckled. ¡°It was. But it was our nightmare. And we loved every second of it.¡± Granny Hana smiled. ¡°It sounds like you two were really close.¡± I nodded, my smile fading. ¡°We were. But the thing is, Karen shouldn¡¯t exist here. We only showed a replica at the school project. The real Karen was kept secret. Only Uncle Shizumori and I ever saw it.¡± Grandpa Ren crossed his arms. ¡°So if no one else knew about it, how¡¯d it end up at the lottery shop?¡± I looked down at Karen, my mind racing. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But the only person who could¡¯ve sent it is Uncle Shizumori.¡± --- The Truth About Uncle Shizumori I decided to dig deeper. I activated Karen and asked it to replay its last conversations. The AI¡¯s holographic interface flickered to life, displaying a series of logs and recordings. As I scrolled through them, my heart sank. There was a new set of logs under the emergency distress signal, It was sent to me¡­ The logs revealed the truth: Uncle Shizumori had used the unstable God Particle to time travel, just like I had. But he hadn¡¯t just traveled through time¡ªhe had become one with it. His body and mind had been broken down and reassembled at a subatomic level, giving him the ability to observe and manipulate the flow of time itself. I grabbed a piece of paper and started scribbling calculations, trying to understand the implications. The numbers didn¡¯t lie. If Uncle Shizumori tried to enter the world, he could cause time to distort... because in his dimension, Time is a river. Right now, he is one with time itself. If he tries to open a portal and enter the world in that state, time itself will ¡°leak¡± out of it, causing reality to distort and lose its identity in the time space continuum. It could stop time entirely, reverse it, or even disintegrate everything around him. In the worst-case scenario, his very existence could unravel the fabric of reality, sending everything back to the Big Bang. I collapsed into a chair, the paper slipping from my hands. I stared at the floor, my mind reeling. Uncle Shizumori wasn¡¯t just a time traveler anymore. He was something... more. Something beyond human. Granny Hana picked up the paper, her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of the equations. ¡°Shinra, what does this mean?¡± I looked up at her, my voice barely above a whisper.
¡°It means Uncle Shizumori isn¡¯t human anymore. If he tries to enter the world, he could destroy everything.¡±
--- The Movie and Ren¡¯s Realization Just as the room fell silent, Karen¡¯s hologram flickered again. This time, it displayed a movie poster. The title read **¡°Shadow of the Iron Fist¡±**, and the tagline promised an action-packed thriller about soldiers taking down a terrorist organization that rose to power overnight. Granny Hana tilted her head. ¡°Why is it showing us this?¡± I frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But if Uncle Shizumori sent it, there¡¯s a reason.¡± Grandpa Ren shrugged. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not gonna argue with a ghost AI. Let¡¯s watch it.¡± We settled in front of the TV, and the movie began. It was intense, with explosions, shootouts, and a lot of dramatic speeches about justice and sacrifice. As the credits rolled, I turned to Grandpa Ren. ¡°Does any of that make sense to you?¡± I asked. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re ex-military. Have you ever seen something like that ?¡± Grandpa Ren leaned back, his expression thoughtful.
¡°Actually, yeah. There was this one time when I was still in the army. A terrorist group called **The Crimson Hand** suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They were well-funded, well-organized, and seemed to have access to resources that no new group should¡¯ve had.¡±
Granny Hana frowned. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°We dug deeper,started comparing them to other groups of similar motives and actions.¡± Grandpa Ren said. ¡°Turns out, they weren¡¯t new at all. They were an old group that had just rebranded themselves after their previous identity got exposed. By changing their name and covering their tracks, they managed to stay under the radar. But we connected the dots to this new group and took them down.¡± Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. He paused, his eyes narrowing.
¡°You know, now that I think about it, Prometheus could be the same thing. A shell company hiding behind a new name while continuing the work of a pre-existing group¡­ It never made sense to me, You said it was instantaneous but that shouldn¡¯t be possible. how could such a powerful organisation appear overnight ?¡±
I sat up straight, my heart racing. ¡°You mean... Prometheus might not be the real threat? There¡¯s something bigger behind it?¡± Grandpa Ren nodded. ¡°Exactly. The question isn¡¯t about Prometheus. It¡¯s about a secret society of wealthy elites controlling the world from the shadows. That¡¯s what we should be looking for.¡± Granny Hana after finally understanding why Uncle Shizumori risked everything to send karen, said ¡°So THAT''S why your uncle sent this. He was trying to warn us that something far more sinister than Prometheus is out there, and it''s been there for a VERY long time.¡± ¡°Yeah, it seems that way.¡± Says Ren. Meanwhile, I was still lost. I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of the people behind my mother¡¯s death still being alive. It was sickening to think about. But a part of me, deep down, felt happy,TRULY happy. Because now, i can absolutely DESTROY the people that did this to me and take my sweet time while doing so. Just the thought of killing those monsters gave me goosebumps. Deep down, I¡¯ve always wanted revenge¡­ and THIS is my chance. --- Ren¡¯s Investigation Grandpa Ren grabbed his phone and started making calls. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s me,¡± he said, his tone serious. ¡°I need you to look into something for me. Ever heard of a secret society of rich elites planning to create wars ? Maybe through weapons monopolisation or controlling politics?¡± He listened intently, his expression growing darker with each call. Finally, he hung up and turned to us.
¡°A couple of my old buddies said they were investigating something like that before their senior officers forced them to shut it down and burn all the files. But they made a soft copy before they destroyed everything. They¡¯re sending it to me as we speak¡­ And Shinra¡­ There¡¯s something you should know. They say there are rumours of a man who has lived for over a century, ruling this secret society. A mad man made of science and pure talent. If that was really true, You know what that could mean right ? ¡±
Granny Hana leaned forward, cutting Grandpa Ren off. ¡°That¡¯s a start. But we need more than just files. We need a plan.¡± She wanted to change the subject and Grandpa Ren took the hint. He stopped talking about it. But I already heard everything I needed to. There is a chance that the CEO, The man who was behind the relocation programme and that so-called twisted paradise¡­ is still alive. That thought alone terrified me, sending chills down my spine. But at the same time, deep down, I was EXCITED, brimming with happiness, the thought of killing that piece of shit myself, cutting each limb of his one after another and savouring every second of it, The thoughts alone filled my brain with dopamine¡­ It was pure bliss¡­ I WANTED TO ENJOY TORTURING THAT FILTH AND LAUGH WHILE DOING SO. --- Hana¡¯s Lab: The Scientists¡¯ Common Thread Before I could completely start smiling from those thoughts, Granny Hana stood up and gestured for me to follow her. ¡°Come with me, Shinra. There¡¯s something I want to show you.¡± I followed her into her lab, where she pulled up a list of the scientists and their inventions on her computer. ¡°You already know about these people,¡± she said. ¡°But there¡¯s something you might not have noticed.¡± I frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°They all have something in common,¡± she said. ¡°They all come from poor families. Look at this guy¡ªhe wanted to make a crop that could grow in all places because his father, a farmer, always suffered losses due to the crops failing to grow in their land. And this girl¡ªshe built an engine that could run on water because her father could barely afford the fuel prices to visit her.¡±
I nodded slowly. ¡°So they all had personal reasons for their inventions.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Granny Hana said.
¡°If we tell them about the danger they¡¯re in¡ªwithout revealing too much¡ªwe might be able to get them to cooperate with us. It¡¯ll make it easier to protect them. We can offer them work, promise them that we¡¯ll make sure their inventions become mainstream. Technically we aren¡¯t lying. That was your plan all along right ?¡±
I thought about it for a moment.
¡°But how do we convince them to trust us regarding the ¡°you¡¯re in danger¡± part? We can¡¯t protect them just by changing their place of work. We need them to listen to us, 24/7.¡±
Granny Hana smiled. ¡°That¡¯s where Ren comes in. His old badge from the military, his medals, and the news articles about his accomplishments¡ªthey¡¯re all still valid. If we show them that, they¡¯ll know we¡¯re not messing around.¡± --- The Smile That Wasn¡¯t His As I listened to Granny Hana¡¯s plan, something inside me shifted. The pieces were falling into place, and for the first time since I¡¯d arrived in this timeline, I felt a flicker of certainty, I felt those thoughts of killing the CEO and the rest of his group, I felt a sudden twitch inside me, something inside me snapped, i didn¡¯t know what it was but I LIKED IT. It gave me confidence, I could practically see myself holding a blade to the CEO¡¯s throat, taking my sweet time cutting him up, PIECE BY PIECE, BIT BY BIT¡­ ¡°I know exactly what to do,¡± I said, my voice steady while visibly grinning from ear to ear. But to anyone watching, the smile that followed would have sent chills down their spine. It wasn¡¯t the smile of a hero, or even a boy trying to save his mother. It was the smile of someone who had glimpsed the abyss¡ªand decided to leap. --- Something had snapped. Perhaps it was the weight of time itself, crushing the boy who¡¯d once sobbed into his mother¡¯s hospital sheets. Or the slow, venomous realization that to outplay monsters, you must first grow teeth of your own. The smile didn¡¯t belong to Nishi Shinra. Not anymore. It was a borrowed thing¡ªsharp as a scalpel, cold as the space between stars¡ªthe kind of smile that doesn¡¯t fade, but settles, like frost on a corpse. When had the switch flipped? When he held Karen? When he unraveled Shizumori¡¯s fate? Or earlier, much earlier¡ªwhen he learned that salvation and annihilation wear the same face... When he saw all the puzzle pieces fall in order, creating a web that connected all the dots, allowing him to see the path to certain victory ? Funny, he mused, how quiet the other voice in his head had gone. As if it had finally handed him the reins. Or simply¡­ stepped aside to watch. One thing was certain: the boy who feared the dark was gone. Now the darkness itself feared him. End of Chapter 7 To be Continued Chapter 8 : The Reflection Chapter 8: The Blood You Forgot --- I. The Void I opened my eyes slowly¡ªtoo slowly, like peeling dried glue from skin. Darkness. Not the comforting dark of a lab at midnight, or even the choking black of the time machine¡¯s vortex. This was *nothingness*. No ground. No sky. Just me, tumbling endlessly, limbs flopping like a broken marionette. What¡ª? I twisted mid-air, forcing my legs downward through sheer will. Better. At least now I wasn¡¯t falling upside down like some slaughtered animal. The last thing I remembered was Karen¡¯s hologram flickering in Hana¡¯s lab. The numbers. The warnings. Then¡ª Gravity shifted. My descent slowed, then stopped altogether. I floated there, suspended, heart pounding loud enough to echo in this soundless hell. Then the void answered. --- II. The Walls of Memory Two walls erupted from the darkness¡ªinfinite, towering. Left side: My life. Bright. Warm. Strings of silver light connecting each memory like constellations. - Mom kissing my scraped knee when I was six. - Shizumori laughing hysterically as I shocked myself on a loose wire. - Hana¡¯s hands wrapping bandages around my burns. Right side: Me. But not me. Same face. Same voice. But¡ª - Me standing in a lavish bedroom, watching blood drip from my fingers onto a sleeping man¡¯s face. - Me methodically cleaning a knife while a woman sobbed at my feet, begging for her children. - Me smiling at my reflection, whispering: "They¡¯ll never touch her again." The strings here weren¡¯t silver. They were black, barbed, stitching the memories together like crude surgical wire. I reached out¡ª --- III. The Flood The walls crashed together. Memories detonated in my skull¡ªblurry, fragmented¡ªexcept one. I didn¡¯t arrive on March 2nd, 2025. I came earlier. A week earlier. The bruises. The burns. The ache in my ribs. Not from time travel. From fighting- no, hunting. The images came sharp as knife points: - Me kicking down a door, the smell of expensive cologne and gun oil. - A man screaming as I showed him photos of his grandchildren. "Recognize them? They¡¯ll work for Prometheus one day." - My hands around a woman¡¯s throat, her nails scraping my arms as I whispered: "Your son will help torture my mother." And the worst part? I remembered enjoying it. --- IV. The Lie The void spat me back into silence. The walls were gone. The strings were gone. Only the truth remained: I¡¯d been here before. I¡¯d killed before. And someone had made me forget. The darkness trembled. Somewhere in the abyss, something that wore my face smiled. --- V. The Return I blinked¡ª ¡ªand the void was gone. The sterile white lights of Hana¡¯s lab burned my eyes. The smell of antiseptic and coffee. The hum of computers. My fingers dug into the arms of the chair I was sitting in, as if I needed to convince myself it was real. What the hell was that? This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Hana¡¯s voice cut through the fog:
"I contacted her, just like you asked."
I looked up. She was scrolling through a tablet, the list of scientists we needed to protect glowing on the screen. "What?" My throat felt raw. Hana glanced at me, then frowned. "The plastic surgeon? My friend? You were very insistent about it earlier." A cold drip slid down my spine. "I¡­ didn¡¯t ask you that." I wasn''t even here, I didn''t even talk to granny just now, so who did ? Now her frown deepened. She stepped closer, studying my face. Then, oddly relieved:
"Oh. Your eyes are back to normal. Good. I was worried for a second."
"What are you talking about?" She didn¡¯t answer. Just pressed a hand to my forehead. "You¡¯re burning up. Go rest. We¡¯ll talk later." I wanted to argue. To demand answers. But the weight of the memories¡ª*the killings*¡ªsagged my bones. I nodded. "Karen," I said, placing the AI on the table. "Listen to every command Granny Hana and Grandpa Ren give you. No exceptions." Karen¡¯s hologram flickered in acknowledgment. --- VI. The Nightmare¡¯s Edge My room was too quiet. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, but all I saw were the walls from the void¡ªthe other me, the blood, the things I¡¯d done and forgotten. The sheets stuck to my sweat-drenched skin. Every time I closed my eyes: - A man¡¯s choked scream. - The slick warmth of blood between my fingers. - The rightness I¡¯d felt in those moments. I turned onto my side, gripping the pillow like it could strangle the memories. Sleep came anyway. And with it¡ª ¡ªthe nightmare began. --- VII. The Nightmare Unfolds I watched from above as I stepped out of the time machine''s afterglow. No, Not me. Not really. This version of Shinra Nishi didn''t stumble. Didn''t gasp at the unfamiliar skyline. As his boots hit the cracked pavement of February 23rd, 2025, he simply inhaled¡ªdeep, measured¡ªas if tasting the timeline itself. "Decades early, Interesting" he mused, looking at a news paper on the ground. Then running a thumb along the spine of our notebook. "Perfect." Where I had panicked, he smiled. Where I hesitated, he moved with the certainty of a scalpel slicing flesh. --- VIII. The Surgeon''s Work First Cut: The Yamazaki Estate He entered through the nursery window. The child''s parents woke to find him sitting at the foot of their bed, our notebook open to a dog-eared page. "Kaito Yamazaki," he read aloud.
"Your son. In 2053, he''ll invent the neural clamps that keep test subjects conscious during vivisection."
The father lunged. A single precise strike to the trachea. As the man choked, "The Reflection" turned to the mother.
"Look at the photo. Recognize his smile? He''ll use it while explaining how long a person can survive without skin."
The scalpel flashed. Second Incision: The Wei Apartment The pregnant woman backed into a corner, hands protectively cradling her stomach.
"I''ll disappear tonight! He''ll never know this child!"
"But he will." The Reflection tapped our notebook. I wanted to scream, I wanted him to stop, but i couldnt. There was nothing I could do. I was just reliving memories, I was nothing but a ghost in this world. The reflection pointing the knife now to her chin, said:
"And your daughter will calculate exactly how much pain a human body can endure before the mind shatters. Shall I demonstrate her work?"
Her screams lasted precisely 37 seconds. --- IX. The Anesthesia By dawn on February 28th, the Reflection paused outside a boarded-up clinic. His hands¡ª*my hands*¡ªshook slightly as he prepared the syringe. "You''re fighting too hard now," he murmured to himself. To me. The needle slid into our jugular with practiced ease. "Sleep," he whispered as the world dissolved into static. "And forget your weakness." --- X. The Patient Awakens I woke screaming. Not metaphorically. My throat tore raw with it. The bedroom door burst open¡ªHana, wild-eyed, a medkit in hand. But all I could see were the phantom bloodstains on my fingers. The truth coiled in my gut like a parasite: The Reflection wasn''t some fractured piece of me. He was the masterpiece. And I was just the sedative. XI. The Weight of the Knife The memory hit me like a bullet to the spine. The woman¡¯s stomach. The way the blade parted skin like wet paper. The sound she made¡ªnot a scream, but a choked, animal noise, like her lungs had forgotten how to work. And the other me had watched. Had smiled. Now, staring at Granny Hana¡¯s face¡ªher wide, worried eyes, the way her hands hovered like she wanted to fix me¡ªI realized: I did that. MY hands did that. Bile surged up my throat. I gagged, fingers clawing at my own neck like I could rip the memories out through my skin. My lungs burned. The room tilted. Hana rushed forward. "Shinra¡ª!" "P-please¡­" I choked out, stumbling back until my shoulders hit the wall. "Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t touch me." I slid to the floor, gasping. Every breath felt like glass in my chest. Hana froze, her face crumbling. "Shinra, you¡¯re scaring me. Let me¡ª" "I¡¯ll stain you," I whispered. Because that¡¯s what I was now. A walking crime scene. Nothing more than a sick murderer who would kill a pregnant woman to achieve my twisted sense of justice. I was no hero, I wasn''t the one who would save the world. I''m nothing but a killer. My hands are stained with the blood of innocent lives, I was walking over corpses of people that did nothing wrong... END OF CHAPTER 8 To be continued. Chapter 9 : The Sound Of Broken Glass Chapter 9 : The Sound Of Broken Glass I. The Confession I Never Meant to Make My hands wouldn¡¯t stop shaking. I hadn¡¯t meant to say it. Hadn¡¯t even realized I was speaking until the words were already out¡ªspilling like blood from an unstitched wound.
"I came earlier. A week earlier. They made me forget¡ª"
Hana froze mid-step, the color draining from her face. "Shinra...?" But I wasn¡¯t talking to her. I was talking to the ghosts in my own skull, to the memories that slithered between my neurons like parasites.
"The bodies. The¡ªthe woman. I cut her open and I¡ª"
My breath came in jagged gasps. The walls pulsed. The air smelled like copper and burnt sugar. Hana dropped to her knees in front of me, her hands hovering just above my shoulders¡ªafraid to touch, afraid not to. "Listen to me," she said, voice cracking. "Whatever you remember¡ªwhatever you think you did¡ªthat wasn¡¯t you. Do you understand? That wasn¡¯t you.* But the words rang hollow. Because I knew. The weight of the knife. The way the blood had steamed in the cold air. It was me. Hana stood abruptly. "I¡¯m going to the lab. I¡¯ll find answers. I swear it." She left before I could tell her not to bother.
II. The Mirror The bathroom light buzzed like a dying wasp. I clutched the sink, my fingernails scraping porcelain. The water ran clear, but when I splashed my face, it smelled faintly of iron. I looked up¡ª ¡ªand the Reflection was already waiting. Its eyes were my eyes. Its face was my face. But where my expression was fractured with guilt, the Reflection''s was terrifyingly calm. "You left our work unfinished," it said. A drop of water slid down the mirror¡ªexcept it wasn¡¯t water. It was a tear of blood. "They would have hurt her. All of them." My hands shook. "You killed children¡ª" "I killed futures," the Reflection corrected. Its voice was my own, but layered¡ªlike two recordings playing a millisecond apart. "Every corpse was a guarantee she''d never scream in that lab. You know I''m right." The Reflection pressed its palm against the glass. The surface rippled like liquid mercury. "Let me finish this. Before it''s too late." My fist shattered the mirror.
III. The Aftermath Glass rained into the sink. Each shard showed a different memory: "No more pain," the shards whispered in unison. "No more experiments. I fixed it." Blood dripped from my knuckles onto the broken glass. The Reflection''s image smiled up at me from every crimson-smeared piece. From the drain: a wet, rattling breath.
IV. The Blood on My Hands The hallway stretched unnaturally long as I stumbled forward. The walls whispered: "You wanted them dead too. You just lacked the courage." Ren caught me at the stairs, eyes widening at the blood. "Shinra, what the hell¡ª?" But how could I explain? That my other self wasn''t a monster¡ªjust a version of me that loved too violently? That every kill had been a gift wrapped in screams? Ren¡¯s hands moved with military precision. The first aid kit snapped open¡ªalcohol swabs, gauze, sutures laid out in neat rows like soldiers at attention. He didn¡¯t ask questions as he worked. Clean the wound. Apply pressure. Stitch if necessary. Army field medicine drilled into him over a decade ago. I watched through a haze as Ren¡¯s fingers¡ªsteady, scarred, alive¡ªdabbed antiseptic along my split knuckles. The sting barely registered. "Deep one here," Ren muttered, threading a suture needle with practiced ease. "Gonna need two stitches. Hold still." The needle bit into flesh. I didn¡¯t flinch. Ren¡¯s jaw tightened as he tied off the thread. "You¡¯re lucky it didn¡¯t hit the tendon." A beat. Then, quieter: "Who were you talking to in there?" I stared at the bandages¡ªwhite and pristine, already blotting red at the center. Someone who thinks he¡¯s saving Mom.Someone who¡¯s me. The words lodged in my throat like broken glass. Ren exhaled through his nose and snapped the first aid kit shut. "Right. Well. Next time you wanna redecorate, use a hammer, yeah?" The joke fell flat. The silence that followed was worse. Somewhere in the house, a pipe groaned.
V. The Run I was moving before I realized it. Past Ren¡¯s startled curse. Through the front door that screamed on its hinges. Into the night air that did nothing to cleanse the stench of blood in my nose. Then¡ª ¡ªmy body unfolded into motion. I ran. Not from something. Toward. My feet struck the pavement with perfect, measured precision¡ªeach step launching me forward like a coiled spring released. My arms pumped in razor-sharp rhythm, elbows driving back like pistons. The night air sliced past my face as I leaned into the sprint, my center of gravity perfectly balanced despite the dizzying speed. I''d never moved like this before. Never could have. But the Reflection could. And right now, its muscle memory was carrying me toward the truth. The memories were a trail of breadcrumbs now¡ªa week of violence I needed to retrace. If even one of those houses still stood, if one corpse remained unburied... I¡¯d find proof. Of what I¡¯d done. Of what I might still do. The streetlights blurred as I ran faster, my bandaged hand leaving red fingerprints on the pavement. Somewhere ahead, the first grave waited. VI. The Lab The basement lab hummed with the sound of Karen''s processors working overtime. Hana''s fingers flew across the keyboard, pulling up files she''d never wanted to access. "Vitals erratic... Pupil dilation abnormal... Goddamn it, how did I miss this?" Her knuckles whitened around the edge of the desk. "Karen, cross-reference Shinra''s neurological scans with dissociative cases from¡ª" The door hissed open. Ren stood silhouetted in the doorway, his face unreadable. "He''s gone," he said simply. Hana didn''t turn around. "I know." "Ran out like the devil himself was on his heels." Ren stepped inside, eyeing the screens. "What the hell''s happening to him?" Karen''s hologram flickered. "Analysis: Subject exhibits classic dissociative identity markers combined with¡ª" "He''s splitting, Ren!" Hana finally whirled around, Karen clutched to her chest like a lifeline. "And it''s my fault! I''m a doctor¡ªI should''ve seen the signs the moment he started talking to mirrors!" Ren crossed the room in three strides, gripping her shoulders. "Hey. None of that. The kid''s been through hell we can''t even imagine." Hana''s hands shook around Karen''s casing. "He''s retracing their steps now. The... the ones it made him forget. When he sees what''s waiting¡ª" "We''ll find him." Ren tapped his phone. "Still got his location. Kid couldn''t ditch the family tracker if he tried." "It''s not where he is that scares me." Hana held up Karen, the AI''s ports glowing ominously. "It''s this. The footage from that missing week. He needs to see it wasn''t him." On Karen''s screen, a video file blinked: [FOOTAGE_0219-0225/2025] The timestamp matched exactly with Shinra''s lost days. Ren''s jaw tightened. "What''s on it?" Hana''s thumb hovered over the play button. "Proof," she whispered. "That the hands that killed those people... weren''t his." "He''s having a mental breakdown thinking he killed people, innocent people. He thinks he killed children, a pregnant woman, entire families, but he didn''t. it wasn''t him" Chapter 10 : The Blood That Binds Part-1 I. The Yamazaki Estate The morning air clung to my skin like a damp shroud, heavy with the stench of decaying leaves and distant rain. The Yamazaki Estate loomed ahead, its once-grand fa?ade now skeletal under the gray dawn. Boards covered the windows like bandages over hollow eyes, and the garden was a graveyard of dead roses, petals rotting into black sludge. POLICE LINE ¡ª DO NOT CROSS The yellow tape fluttered in the wind, a brittle laugh tearing through the silence. My bandaged hand pulsed with a dull ache, the stitches Ren had sewn pulling taut as I clenched my fists. Across the street, a woman in a faded housecoat yanked her dachshund¡¯s leash, hurrying past the mansion. "Excuse me," I croaked, my voice raw from screaming into the void. "What¡­ happened here?" She froze, eyes darting to the house as if it might lunge.
"Some lunatic butchered the whole family last week. Even the children." Her whisper trembled. "They say he smiled while doing it. Left their bodies arranged like dolls in a tea party."
My throat closed. The Reflection¡¯s voice purred in my ear:"Little Kaito would¡¯ve grown up to wire electrodes to your mother¡¯s eyelids. You saved him." The world tilted. I stumbled back, sneakers skidding on gravel, and ran.
II. The Park The playground was a carcass. Police tape coiled around the swing set like cobwebs, and the sandbox had been excavated into a shallow grave. A rusted slide arched toward the sky, its metal groaning in the wind. The air smelled of wet mulch and something sharper¡ªbleach, maybe, or the tang of old blood. A couple argued by the broken merry-go-round, their voices sharp as glass:
"¡ªheard the killer buried them alive! Made the parents watch the kids suffocate first¡ª""¡ªcut out their tongues, my sister said. So they couldn¡¯t beg."
A pink flip-flop lay abandoned near the swings. I¡¯d bought Mom one just like it years ago, after she¡¯d admired a pair in a shop window. The memory curdled in my gut. "They were destined for Prometheus¡¯s child labs," the Reflection hissed. "I gave them peace." Bile surged. I retched into the bushes, vomit splattering neon-green weeds. The acid burned, but not as much as the truth: I¡¯d bought that flip-flop. I¡¯d killed those children.
III. The Wei Apartment The stairwell reeked of ammonia and decay, each step creaking like a dying man¡¯s bones. CRIME SCENE ¡ª AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY glared from the third-floor door, but the knob turned easily¡ªtoo easily, as if inviting me back. Inside, the walls had been stripped to the studs, exposing jagged pipes and frayed wires. But the blood¡­ This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. It wasn¡¯t just splattered. It was art. Swirls coiled across the ceiling like crimson galaxies. Handprints smeared the fridge in frenzied arcs. A perfect outline marked where the pregnant woman had died¡ªmy silhouette, frozen mid-crouch. Her ghostly face stared up from the floorboards, mouth open in a silent scream. "You did this," the Reflection cooed. "You painted this masterpiece to protect her." My knees hit the floor. Vomit exploded from my throat, acidic yellow mingling with the brownish crust on the tiles. The stench¡ªrotten meat and cloying sweetness¡ªclawed down my windpipe. "Every cut was a love letter," the Reflection sighed. "Every scream a lullaby."
IV. The Alley The alley stank of piss and rotting fish. A plastic bucket sat by a dumpster, rainwater sloshing with green algae and cigarette butts. I plunged my hands in, scrubbing my face until my skin rawed. The water tasted like poison, but I gargled it anyway, spitting chunks of bile onto the asphalt. "Look at you," a voice sneered. Three men blocked the exit. The leader swung a baseball bat tattooed with tally marks. "Wallet. Phone. Now." I laughed¡ªa wet, broken sound. "Kill me." The bat cracked my ribs first. White-hot pain bloomed as I crumpled. Steel-toe boots stomped my spine, my arms, my face. Blood pooled in my mouth, metallic and warm. "Pathetic," the Reflection tutted. "Let me¡ª" Darkness swallowed me whole.
V. The Chase "Signal¡¯s moving again!" Ren slammed the steering wheel as traffic snarled ahead. Rain sheeted the windshield, blurring the taillights into hellish constellations. Hana clutched Karen to her chest, the AI¡¯s hologram flickering with Shinra¡¯s nosediving vitals. "His pulse is weakening¡­ oxygen dropping¡­ Ren, pull over!" They abandoned the car, sprinting through honking gridlock. Ren¡¯s combat boots pounded the pavement, Hana¡¯s lab coat flapping like a ghost behind her. "If he dies¡­" Hana choked."He won¡¯t," Ren lied, vaulting a stalled bicycle.
VI. The Void Reborn Cold. Dark. The walls rose again, but now they breathed. Left side: Mom braiding my hair. Shizumori¡¯s laugh. Hana¡¯s bandages.Right side: The Yamazaki tea party. The sandbox graves. The Wei family¡¯s blood galaxy. Silver threads now stitched my memories to his. First kiss. First kill. Mom¡¯s lullabies. The pregnant woman¡¯s choked sobs. The walls lurched closer, glass groaning. The Reflection stepped through the right wall, his white coat pristine, scalpels glinting in his hands.
"We¡¯re not split. We¡¯re fused."
His voice- it wasn''t like the one i''ve been hearing. It wasn''t dark, eerie, It was almost normal. Like mine. He pressed his palm to the glass between us. My hand rose to meet it, unwillingly. "It''s good to finally see you, face to face... Nishi Shinra" he said.